Paulo Emilio has died at age 80

Cerezo Osaka’s first manager Paulo Emilio has died due to lymphoma at the age of 80 on May 16, according to the club.

Paulo Emilio was appointed as the manager of Cerezo Osaka in 1994, after taking charge of several Brazilian clubs and winning many titles from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Cerezo Osaka, renamed from Yanmar Diesel Soccer Club in the search for promotion to the J. League in December 1993, won the Japan Football League under Paulo Emilio in 1994, and confirmed joining the professional league.

The club president Minoru Tamada, who used to work with Emilio as a club staff, says “It’s very sad to hear his name again after a long time in this way. It seems like just the other day that we won the JFL in the first season as Cerezo and decided promotion to the J. League, under the slogan of ‘The team is family.’ Our progress to the final of the Emperor’s Cup (in 1994) is also a good memory. Now, to (pay tribute to) manager Emilio, it’s important for us to unite as one and get promotion to the J1. Our condolences go out to him. Thank you very much, Mr. Emilio!”

Brazil’s technical director Gilmar Rinaldi, who played for Cerezo Osaka from 1995 to 1997, says “Brazil lost a great coach today: Paulo Emilio, who took me to Japanese club Cerezo Osaka. Rest in peace, Paulo. Proud to be trained by you” on Instagram.